The Edge -- Published March 10, 2014

Work is continuing with demolition and preparation of Hunter Square for the new 13-story courthouse that will grace downtown Stockton.

The Record

Work is continuing with demolition and preparation of Hunter Square for the new 13-story courthouse that will grace downtown Stockton.

The courthouse is much needed. M-U-U-U-U-C-H needed. But there's plenty of debate on the architectural merits of the coming structure and its predecessors.

Our friends over at the Stockton History site on Facebook have had a lively discussion. Some comments:

» Andrew W.J. Toler: "(The new one is) not bad. But it looks like 1947 design."

» Ruth Sanford: "Leave my courthouse and my Lady (Justice) alone. She better still be there. I am so sad."

» William Maxwell: "Say what you will about the new courthouse, at the very least it will be better than what we have now. The question is how long will we have to look at the two of them side by side. As for Lady Justice, she will be installed in a prominent place in the new structure."

» Liz McCann: "I don't like it."

» Matthew Craig: "... Let's face it, we can say 'how sad this is,' 'can't believe they're doing this.' But like it or not, it's happening and we just have to let it. At least we are keeping the top of the fountain from ending up in the landfill."

» Katherine Gray Hawes: "After all, when the Eiffel Tower was built, lots of people hated it. And there are so many other examples - (Antoni) Gaudi, his still unfinished cathedral (Sagrada Familia). When I was in Barcelona, family members took me there first thing. My initial reaction? Upside down ice cream cones, the ice cream dribbling down."

» Todd Silva: "I have no problem being the one to give an 'unpopular' opinion. The current courthouse is an eyesore compared to the amazing classic dome structure that it replaced. It is also completely inadequate for the needs of our area. The new courthouse will improve on both of those things, and the current one will be taken down and replaced with a new public park/use area. I have no problem with this plan. One thing I do agree with, I am very pleased that 'Lady Justice' will be kept and incorporated into the new facility."